We’ve talked about spoude before. It’s one of the Greek words for zeal. Other ways to say it: don’t hold back, get after it, maintain a sense of urgency.
Not everything that requires attention is on fire. Not everything that isn’t on fire is okay. Moth and rust will destroy, even if not by the end of today.
When you see a sin, deal with it. As soon as you realize you’ve sinned, apply all your spoude to make it right. Don’t wait.
If you wait, you give permission—at least by example—to all those around you to delay dealing with their sin.
If you wait, you deceive yourself into thinking that you’ll have time to deal with it later. Procrastination is a bum bet.
If you wait, you begin (or further) the process of not paying attention to your conscience. That’s called hardening your heart. There is no good end for hard hearts.
He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck,
will suddenly be broken beyond healing.
(Proverbs 29:1)
Fix it now. Will repentance be painful? Perhaps. But certain is the pain of ruin. Avoid a lukewarm response at all cost. “Be zealous and repent” (Revelation 3:19).